During a discussion on democracy at the OSCE’s Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) in Warsaw, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has warned of the dangers posed by populist movements in the region for human rights and democracy. IHEU director of advocacy, Elizabeth O’Casey, pointed to eight states in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe [...][Continue Reading...]

During a meeting at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has called on Russia to repeal its “gay propaganda” laws which heavily discriminate against LGBTI people. At the meeting in Warsaw today, IHEU director of advocacy, Elizabeth [...][Continue Reading...]

Humanists have defended the right to wear religious dress in the face of various laws targeting “extremism” which would remove this right on fallacious grounds. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) was speaking at a meeting with Harlem Désir, the Special Representative on Freedom of the Media, from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s [...][Continue Reading...]

Humanists and religious groups have come together under the auspices of the United Nations, to launch a new initiative aimed at fighting discrimination and upholding ‘freedom of religion or belief’ for all. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in cooperation with civil society groups – including the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) [...][Continue Reading...]

Humanists have told the United Nations: to combat intolerance we don’t need restrictions on free expression, we need more free expression. During its final statement to the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) with the support of its sister organisation, the European Humanist Federation (EHF), has urged the [...][Continue Reading...]

In conjunction with a number of human rights NGOs, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has called on UN Human Rights Council members to reject a draft resolution on “Protection of the Family” due to its falling short on human rights grounds. Joined and supported by a range of human rights organisations – including the [...][Continue Reading...]

It’s been five years since Saudi writer and activist, Raif Badawi was imprisoned for advocating liberalism and secularism. Today the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) delivered a personal plea from Raif’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, to the United Nations, calling for his release. In the plenary chamber of the UN Human Rights Council today, IHEU [...][Continue Reading...]

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has spoken out in defence of the UN Human Rights Council’s investigation into human rights issues related to discrimination and persecution on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. During a debate on the first report by the new UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based [...][Continue Reading...]

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) made its first statement to the 35th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council today by calling on the international community to stand up for secular human rights activists who criticise radical Islam and extremist ideology. During a debate with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, [...][Continue Reading...]

The IHEU at the UN Human Rights Council has called for global repeal of apostasy and blasphemy laws, which are used to silence debate and discriminate against minorities. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) delivered its final statement of the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council this morning, raising serious concerns about [...][Continue Reading...]